Computer Based Support for Learning Facial Expressions

Current computer based approaches to teaching autistic people facial expressions typically provide pictures of such expressions, and either multiple choice tests or facial ‘dictionaries’. Such approaches appear to be neither fun nor engaging. This paper reports on the findings of an experiment to compare a conventional computer based approach to support learning facial expressions to a novel approach in which users learn facial expressions through interacting with virtual pets. The experiment showed that the conventional approach was most effective in terms of teaching the most facial expressions over the shortest period of time. However, the novel approach was judged to be more fun to use even though it required more time and effort. In addition this paper outlines an initial set of suggestions for developing graphic user interfaces for autistic people.